The Opelousas courier., 1887-10-08
them to, but I cannot and will not be.

VINO have since pursued him with such re-
lentless fury. as can be readily shown.
Ihe people must judge az to who were the
partlsans and who exhibited the animns of
personal government
Following the line of duty thus marked ont
for himself, Gov. McEnery's anpointuents
~hr 7 soa the State are submitted to the
entire contidence that the result will prove a |
consistent adherence to the patriotic course
adopted In 1881.
Judges, police inries, assessors, returning
oThcefs, and members OF the boards governing
the public institutions of the State, to dis
cover tne many names conspicuously known
as Irlends End supporters OF Gov. McEnery's
political opponents.
1t seems strange that, in the face of the
record, the stale SANDER should continue to
be circulated that his appointments to office
are based on personal grounds, and that the
OPPOSITION has been ostraciZed or ignored.
1t must surely be known to his traducers
that although the Governor has never pre-
TENDED to relegate thepowers Of his office into
the hands OF memDer of a co-Ordinate branch
OF the government, yet in q vast majority of
cases he has conformed to the recommended
lions or advice OF Senators, Representatives
or the executive committees in making par
The improved condition Of the finances of
almost every. parish and public institution i'm
the State ls the best answer that can be made
to these slanderous charges.
Before dismissing the subject of PARTISAN
ship, however, 1t is not perhaps inappropriate
to speak OF 9 more direct case in point,
wherein Coy. McEnery's disposition and the
partisan, relentless character of his oppo-
| nents became a matter Of historical record.
| The name. of Gen. Fred. N. Ogden was pre-
scented by a large number OF influential mer-
chants and citizens for q high Federal office
under President Cleveland.
At the time the petition was drawn no
other prominent citizen of the State was
known 70 be an +~aspirant for the position.
Gen. Ogden had reason to believe that he
former personal and political friends, who
were in 8 position to serve his interests.
When his candidacy became known with
Gen. Ogden at the time, prompted solely by
a desire to recognize the heroic services of d
patriotic leader. and to contribute toward
healing unhappy divisions existing. in the
party, Coy. McEnery n many of his politi-
cal. friends warmly pressed Gen. .0gden's
claims upon the President. When it became
evident that President Cleveland had deter
mined to accord that Office to another distin
guis1ed Democrat, every, possible effort was
made TO secure for Gen. Ogden another posi-
zion of high. trust and responsibility-the
enthusiastically OF New Orleans.
It seemed a fitting thing that the brave
and noble gentleman should occupy one of
the offices overlooking the battlefield OF the
Fourteenth of September-a victory which
thrilled the country, awakened the people to
such action as placed q Democratic House in
power, and made @ Democratic President
possible.
In ali the political differences of the past
no word could be uttered sgainsthis stainless
history of the State, and his business quail
~ieations were Of the highest order.
His opponents in q recent State canvass
bore tribute to his virtues, and joined TltI
the business interests of New Orleans il
urging his recognition.
The opponents of Gev. McEnery should
explain why Gen. Ogden was permitted to &C
/ A. 49, -,w. ,a xxyfth - h11raII1af FIR r. HIca FffnJ7af
ment before they again dare 70 raise or dIs
cuss the charge of partisanship, lnasmucf
AZ his defeat has been traced directly to theii
leaders.
Passing from the painful questions which
have been tonched upon solely because OF th'
vindictiye nature of the assaults upon Gov
4 McEaery, and which made this reference
simple act OF justice, let as glance % so soah H. q
tory. .;uo oror,.s.;n,
strife.
Anew generation have come to manhood
since the the politicians of this State begal
their chickering's and i~n.ernecine war. j..
Perhaps it is idle 70 argue with chronl
croakers or hide-bound political malignants
but fortunately for the State these classes at
in q minority.
Everybody here knows when the s~o-ealle'
| reformeTB say that the State is going. to tn
Sogs, and that the heroic remedies OF 1877.
: ard 1875 are necessary to again rescue Lou
! isiana from spoliation and nllsrlie,, tina
! they are simply indulging in o mere 'hgar
Of speech"-beating tom-toms to gather
But why Islander q whole STATE to strike a
> McEnery? Everybody here and abroa'
. knows that Louisiana has steadily advance
! SINCE Gov. McEnery came into ONCE ;,
= Her crops have increased IN value sine
1880, SIS, 526, 20A.
Her manufactures have increased durini
the same period s12, $50, 600.
= Increase of assessed values same perlo
4 i GPE nfR2 nn0 @ as @ III a~ 348f 2
. agricaitrlsi bureaus, societies and asspcis
: tione, experiment and weather stations hay
I. been established and encouraged IN fael
! Impaired to 9le agricultural interests OF "a
Z State, resulting in improved cultivation, d
y versifed and increased creps.
: Immigration conventions and dIsSefnlna
ton of information respecting The State ha
excited interest in our lands in the North an
I West.
Educational organizations have aroused
: deep interest throughout the state, and th
public schools have incfeased IN ~etflelency.
. a quarantine system has been. establlshe
: which has efficiently guarded the health 9
g the State from epidemic diseases, and at tn
Q same time has won the co~mmendation an
, respect OF the entire Mississippi Valley
y The judiciary of the State COMMANDS th
Q respect Of the people. Property. NE an
|, liberty have been preserved and protected
+ and Justice is more speedily administers
than Z. any State of the South.
! The public institutions are all IN a bette
y i condition tlHD bIl6y nave UGSA CIV ally 4iiL
Q during the past twenty years.. :,
When Gov. Mcllnery. came to office, tn
!! waters of GoMiseiss1ppl were pouring owe
= the rich lands of Louisiana, through creyasse
!, and defective levees, at the rate OF l,T5o
q 900 cubic feet per second.
There has been constructed under his az
! ministration by the State and distric
L 8, 341,227 CUBIC yards OF eafth WorA, ID a.
: individuals and the United states govern
inens. The amount expended for crevasst
and protection work was s12S, Ia
cost was less per cubic yard than under an
q previous administration. Average expsl
dltures for leyees per wear for the past te
years have been as follows, VIZ
icho1lsspdrninistration, yearly........ siso,als
s M willard saS1 samfnastpatlo gs's yssafiy... s sis.ia
III The number oIeubic yards OF iegees bul
= per year for the past ten years was
Nichols administration, yearly ......... Sag
!, Wiz as admini Tip,sfratIon gsaris. 1, Ell
|. policy Of self-help, of d~eteE1ninatioon VI
y i1nceasing effort on the part of Gov; Nee
q cry. INSPIRED confidence and infused hope
d every circle interested in riparian prote
II Parishes, railroads and planters in .eley,e;
70 lnarishes of the State, cooperating WITH q
~ authorities and WORKING TO given plans
le protection. expended In-
q, 1889, 1893 and .Sslg.9s1
Co 1886 and 1885,. S9o,Ioo
lg M.,,ne : total Of $685. 80
- In br.t half the levee parishes OF the state.
~ The beneficial effect of home effort, q q
i, terInined Ievee policy and successful adnni
q isfrafion has gone far 20 secure the go
1e will, sympathy and cordial co:operation
VI nbin EFFORT thsp rebuilt the Bonn
Care and the great s~oseganzs lesees. u!
q .ods flowing throul Sc e latter sresasse !
Undated the plantat sof the Iecne, II
n The commission BIZ recognized that Lo
al isianais efforts have LsAde 1T possible 70 car
out their pl1ns for combining the waters
he the Mississippi to q Ultimate cnannel VII
ont excessive appropriations from the ge